scholarly journals A subpopulation of arenavirus nucleoprotein localizes to mitochondria

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Baggio ◽  
Udo Hetzel ◽  
Lisbeth Nufer ◽  
Anja Kipar ◽  
Jussi Hepojoki
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Cellular Defense ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Targeting Signal

AbstractViruses need cells for their replication and, therefore, ways to hijack cellular functions. Mitochondria play fundamental roles within the cell in metabolism, immunity and regulation of homeostasis due to which some viruses aim to alter mitochondrial functions. Herein we show that the nucleoprotein (NP) of arenaviruses enters the mitochondria of infected cells, affecting the mitochondrial morphology. Reptarenaviruses cause boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) that is characterized, especially in boas, by the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) comprising reptarenavirus NP within the infected cells. We initiated this study after observing electron-dense material reminiscent of IBs within the mitochondria of reptarenavirus infected boid cell cultures in an ultrastructural study. We employed immuno-electron microscopy to confirm that the mitochondrial inclusions indeed contain reptarenavirus NP. Mutations to a putative N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS), identified via software predictions in both mamm- and reptarenavirus NPs, did not affect the mitochondrial localization of NP, suggesting that it occurs independently of MTS. In support of MTS-independent translocation, we did not detect cleavage of the putative MTSs of arenavirus NPs in reptilian or mammalian cells. Furthermore, in vitro translated NPs could not enter isolated mitochondria, suggesting that the translocation requires cellular factors or conditions. Our findings suggest that MTS-independent mitochondrial translocation of NP is a shared feature among arenaviruses. We speculate that by targeting the mitochondria arenaviruses aim to alter mitochondrial metabolism and homeostasis or affect the cellular defense.

scholarly journals Arenavirus nucleoprotein localizes to mitochondria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Baggio ◽  
Udo Hetzel ◽  
Lisbeth Nufer ◽  
Anja Kipar ◽  
Jussi Hepojoki
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Targeting ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Immune Electron Microscopy ◽  
Isolated Mitochondria ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
Cellular Factors ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Targeting Signal ◽  
Mitochondria Targeting

ABSTRACTViruses need cells to replicate and, therefore, ways to counteract the host’s immune response. Mitochondria play central roles in mediating innate immunity, hence some viruses have developed mechanisms to alter mitochondrial functions. Herein we show that arenavirus nucleoprotein (NP) enters the mitochondria of infected cells and affects their morphological integrity. We initially demonstrate electron-dense inclusions within mitochondria of reptarenavirus infected cells and hypothesized that these represent viral NP. Software predictions then serve to identify a putative N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) in arenavirus NPs; however, comparisons of wild-type and N-terminus mutated NPs suggest MTS-independent mitochondrial entry. NP does not enter isolated mitochondria, indicating that translocation requires additional cellular factors or conditions. Immune electron microscopy finally confirms the presence of NP within the mitochondria both in vitro and in infected animals. We hypothesize that mitochondria targeting might complement the known interferon antagonist functions of NP or alter the cell’s metabolic state.

scholarly journals Targeting lysosome function causes selective cytotoxicity in VHL-inactivated renal cell carcinomas

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 828-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Bouhamdani ◽  
Dominique Comeau ◽  
Alexandre Coholan ◽  
Kevin Cormier ◽  
Sandra Turcotte
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Von Hippel Lindau ◽  
Chromosome 3P ◽  
Open Platform ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies

Abstract The inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), has been identified as the earliest event in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development. The loss of heterogeneity by chromosome 3p deletion followed by inactivating mutations on the second VHL copy are events present in close to 90% of patients. Our study illustrates a lysosomal vulnerability in VHL-inactivated RCC in vitro. By investigating the mechanism of action of the previously identified STF-62247, a small bioactive compound known for its selective cytotoxic properties towards VHL-defective models, we present the promising approach of targeting truncal-driven VHL inactivation through lysosome disruption. Furthermore, by analyzing the open platform for exploring cancer genomic data (cbioportal), we uncover the high alteration frequency of essential lysosomal and autophagic genes in sequenced biopsies from clear cell RCC patient primary tumors. By investigating lysosome physiology, we also identify VHL-inactivated cells’ inability to maintain their lysosomes at the perinuclear localization in response to STF-62247-induced stress and accumulate cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in response to an inefficient lysosomal degradative capacity. Finally, by testing other known lysosomal-disrupting agents (LDAs), we show that these are selectively cytotoxic to cells lacking VHL functions. Our study builds a strong platform that could specifically link genetic clonal ccRCC evolution to lysosomal and trafficking vulnerabilities.

scholarly journals Mfn2 Regulates High Glucose-Induced MAMs Dysfunction and Apoptosis in Podocytes via PERK Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Cao ◽  
Zhaowei Chen ◽  
Jijia Hu ◽  
Jun Feng ◽  
Zijing Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Podocyte Injury ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
Protein Response ◽  
Apoptotic Effects

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury have been demonstrated to the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the pathological mechanisms remain equivocal. Mitofusin2 (Mfn2) was initially identified as a dynamin-like protein involved in fusing the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). More recently, Mfn2 has been reported to be located at the ER membranes that contact OMM. Mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) is the intercellular membrane subdomain, which connects the mitochondria and ER through a proteinaceous tether. Here, we observed the suppression of Mfn2 expression in the glomeruli and glomerular podocytes of patients with DKD. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats exhibited abnormal mitochondrial morphology and MAMs reduction in podocytes, accompanied by decreased expression of Mfn2 and activation of all three unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways (IRE1, ATF6, and PERK). The HG-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, MAMs reduction, and increased apoptosis in vitro were accompanied by the downregulation of Mfn2 and activation of the PERK pathway. Mfn2 physically interacts with PERK, and HG promotes a decrease in Mfn2-PERK interaction. In addition, Mfn2-silenced podocytes showed mitochondrial dysfunction, MAMs reduction, activation of PERK pathway, and increased apoptosis. Conversely, all these effects of HG stimulation were alleviated significantly by Mfn2 overexpression. Furthermore, the inhibition of PERK phosphorylation protected mitochondrial functions but did not affect the expression of Mfn2 in HG-treated podocytes. Therefore, this study confirmed that Mfn2 regulates the morphology and functions of MAMs and mitochondria, and exerts anti-apoptotic effects on podocytes by inhibiting the PERK pathway. Hence, the Mfn2-PERK signaling pathway may be a new therapeutic target for preventing podocyte injury in DKD.

scholarly journals NOA1 is an essential GTPase required for mitochondrial protein synthesis

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateusz Kolanczyk ◽  
Markus Pech ◽  
Tomasz Zemojtel ◽  
Hiroshi Yamamoto ◽  
Ivan Mikula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Developmental Defect ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Synthesis ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
Mitochondrial Ribosome

Nitric oxide associated-1 (NOA1) is an evolutionarily conserved guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding protein that localizes predominantly to mitochondria in mammalian cells. On the basis of bioinformatic analysis, we predicted its possible involvement in ribosomal biogenesis, although this had not been supported by any experimental evidence. Here we determine NOA1 function through generation of knockout mice and in vitro assays. NOA1-deficient mice exhibit midgestation lethality associated with a severe developmental defect of the embryo and trophoblast. Primary embryonic fibroblasts isolated from NOA1 knockout embryos show deficient mitochondrial protein synthesis and a global defect of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Additionally, Noa1–/– cells are impaired in staurosporine-induced apoptosis. The analysis of mitochondrial ribosomal subunits from Noa1–/– cells by sucrose gradient centrifugation and Western blotting showed anomalous sedimentation, consistent with a defect in mitochondrial ribosome assembly. Furthermore, in vitro experiments revealed that intrinsic NOA1 GTPase activity was stimulated by bacterial ribosomal constituents. Taken together, our data show that NOA1 is required for mitochondrial protein synthesis, likely due to its yet unidentified role in mitoribosomal biogenesis. Thus, NOA1 is required for such basal mitochondrial functions as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and apoptosis.

scholarly journals TAPping into the treasures of tubulin using novel protein production methods

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 781-792
Author(s):  
Nuo Yu ◽  
Niels Galjart
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Tubulin Isotypes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Β Tubulin

Microtubules are cytoskeletal elements with important cellular functions, whose dynamic behaviour and properties are in part regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The building block of microtubules is tubulin, a heterodimer of α- and β-tubulin subunits. Longitudinal interactions between tubulin dimers facilitate a head-to-tail arrangement of dimers into protofilaments, while lateral interactions allow the formation of a hollow microtubule tube that mostly contains 13 protofilaments. Highly homologous α- and β-tubulin isotypes exist, which are encoded by multi-gene families. In vitro studies on microtubules and MAPs have largely relied on brain-derived tubulin preparations. However, these consist of an unknown mix of tubulin isotypes with undefined post-translational modifications. This has blocked studies on the functions of tubulin isotypes and the effects of tubulin mutations found in human neurological disorders. Fortunately, various methodologies to produce recombinant mammalian tubulins have become available in the last years, allowing researchers to overcome this barrier. In addition, affinity-based purification of tagged tubulins and identification of tubulin-associated proteins (TAPs) by mass spectrometry has revealed the ‘tubulome’ of mammalian cells. Future experiments with recombinant tubulins should allow a detailed description of how tubulin isotype influences basic microtubule behaviour, and how MAPs and TAPs impinge on tubulin isotypes and microtubule-based processes in different cell types.

scholarly journals Interferon-Induced Alterations in the Pattern of Parainfluenza Virus 5 Transcription and Protein Synthesis and the Induction of Virus Inclusion Bodies

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (22) ◽  
pp. 14112-14121 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Carlos ◽  
R. Fearns ◽  
R. E. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
Parainfluenza Virus ◽  
Antiviral State ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Parainfluenza Virus 5

ABSTRACT Although parainfluenza virus 5 (simian virus 5 [SV5]) circumvents the interferon (IFN) response by blocking IFN signaling and by reducing the amount of IFN released by infected cells, its ability to circumvent the IFN response is not absolute. The effects of IFN on SV5 infection were examined in Vero cells, which do not produce but can respond to IFN, using a strain of SV5 (CPI−) which does not block IFN signaling. Thus, by infecting Vero cells with CPI− and subsequently treating the cells with exogenous IFN, it was possible to observe the effects that IFN had on SV5 infection in the absence of virus countermeasures. IFN rapidly (within 6 h) induced alterations in the relative levels of virus mRNA and protein synthesis and caused a redistribution of virus proteins within infected cells that led to the enhanced formation of virus cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. IFN induced a steeper gradient of mRNA transcription from the 3′ to the 5′ end of the genome and the production of virus mRNAs with longer poly(A) tails, suggesting that the processivity of the virus polymerase was altered in cells in an IFN-induced antiviral state. Additional evidence is presented which suggests that these findings also apply to the replication of strains of SV5, parainfluenza virus type 2, and mumps virus that block IFN signaling when they infect cells that are already in an IFN-induced antiviral state.

scholarly journals Apoptotic induction induces Leishmania aethiopica and L. mexicana spreading in terminally differentiated THP-1 cells

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (14) ◽  
pp. 1912-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAJEEV RAI ◽  
PAUL DYER ◽  
SIMON RICHARDSON ◽  
LAURENCE HARBIGE ◽  
GIULIA GETTI
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Secondary Infection ◽  
Human Macrophages ◽  
Leishmania Aethiopica ◽  
Reliable Model ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Apoptotic Induction

SummaryLeishmaniasis develops after parasites establish themselves as amastigotes inside mammalian cells and start replicating. As relatively few parasites survive the innate immune defence, intracellular amastigotes spreading towards uninfected cells is instrumental to disease progression. Nevertheless the mechanism of Leishmania dissemination remains unclear, mostly due to the lack of a reliable model of infection spreading. Here, an in vitro model representing the dissemination of Leishmania amastigotes between human macrophages has been developed. Differentiated THP-1 macrophages were infected with GFP expressing Leishmania aethiopica and Leishmania mexicana. The percentage of infected cells was enriched via camptothecin treatment to achieve 64·1 ± 3% (L. aethiopica) and 92 ± 1·2% (L. mexicana) at 72 h, compared to 35 ± 4·2% (L. aethiopica) and 36·2 ± 2·4% (L. mexicana) in untreated population. Infected cells were co-cultured with a newly differentiated population of THP-1 macrophages. Spreading was detected after 12 h of co-culture. Live cell imaging showed inter-cellular extrusion of L. aethiopica and L. mexicana to recipient cells took place independently of host cell lysis. Establishment of secondary infection from Leishmania infected cells provided an insight into the cellular phenomena of parasite movement between human macrophages. Moreover, it supports further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of parasites spreading, which forms the basis of disease development.

scholarly journals Impaired hyperphosphorylation of rotavirus NSP5 in cells depleted of casein kinase 1α is associated with the formation of viroplasms with altered morphology and a moderate decrease in virus replication

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 2800-2810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Campagna ◽  
Mauricio Budini ◽  
Francesca Arnoldi ◽  
Ulrich Desselberger ◽  
Jorge E. Allende ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Replicative Cycle ◽  
In Cells

The rotavirus (RV) non-structural protein 5, NSP5, is encoded by the smallest of the 11 genomic segments and localizes in ‘viroplasms’, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in which viral RNA replication and packaging take place. NSP5 is essential for the replicative cycle of the virus because, in its absence, viroplasms are not formed and viral RNA replication and transcription do not occur. NSP5 is produced early in infection and undergoes a complex hyperphosphorylation process, leading to the formation of proteins differing in electrophoretic mobility. The role of hyperphosphorylation of NSP5 in the replicative cycle of rotavirus is unknown. Previous in vitro studies have suggested that the cellular kinase CK1α is responsible for the NSP5 hyperphosphorylation process. Here it is shown, by means of specific RNA interference, that in vivo, CK1α is the enzyme that initiates phosphorylation of NSP5. Lack of NSP5 hyperphosphorylation affected neither its interaction with the virus VP1 and NSP2 proteins normally found in viroplasms, nor the production of viral proteins. In contrast, the morphology of viroplasms was altered markedly in cells in which CK1α was depleted and a moderate decrease in the production of double-stranded RNA and infectious virus was observed. These data show that CK1α is the kinase that phosphorylates NSP5 in virus-infected cells and contribute to further understanding of the role of NSP5 in RV infection.

scholarly journals Differential cytotoxicity of iron chelators on malaria-infected cells versus mammalian cells

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
pp. 4871-4878 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Glickstein ◽  
W Breuer ◽  
M Loyevsky ◽  
AM Konijn ◽  
A Shanzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Iron Chelators ◽  
Intracellular Iron ◽  
In Vitro Proliferation ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cell Cytosol ◽  
Improved Design

Iron chelators of the hydroxamate class arrest in vitro proliferation of malaria parasites end of mammalian cells. The factors determining the biological activity of the chelators have classically been attributed to the chelators' capacity for binding iron and to their ability to traverse membranes as free chelators and as chelator-iron complexes. We show in this work that the nature of the chelatable pool of cell iron also contributes to the susceptibility of cells to iron chelators. A class of N-terminal (Nt derivatives of desferrioxamine (DFO), (Nt-DFO), is shown here to differentially affect growth and replication of intraerythrocytic parasites (Plasmodium falciparum). Methyl-anthranilic DFO (MADFO), the relatively less hydrophilic member of the Nt-DFOs series, reduced parasite proliferation (48 hour test) with an IC50 of 4 +/- 1 micromol/L and mammalian cell (K562 and HepG2) proliferation with an IC50 > 100 micromol/L. On the other hand, the more hydrophilic Nt-free DFO, displayed IC50 values of 21 +/- 5 micromol/L for parasites and 7 +/- 1 micromol/L for mammalian cells. The selective antiparasitic activity of MA-DFO, as reflected in the speed of action and IC50 values on cell proliferation, is attributed primarily to membrane permeation and iron (III) binding properties of the drug. In contrast, the relatively low antiproliferative activity of the more permeant MA-DFO on mammalian cells, resulted from MA-DFO's reduced capacity for scavenging intracellular iron. This is apparent from MA-DFO reduced effects on: (1) the chelatable iron (II) pool that is associated with the cell cytosol; (2) the cell chelator-extractable iron, and (3) cell ferritin levels. The potent antimalarial efficacy and biological selectivity of MA-DFO relative to the parent DFO, is of importance for improved design of chemotherapeutic agents.

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